Men's Ice Hockey

Payne Wins Stanley Cup with Kings

Photo courtesy LA Kings.

Jun 18, 2014

LOS ANGELES — Former Michigan Tech hockey player Davis Payne (1988-92) lifted the Stanley Cup last Friday (June 13) after the Los Angeles Kings defeated the New York Rangers 3-2 in the second overtime to win the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final series 4-1. Payne, who has had a 22-year career in professional hockey as both a player and coach, is an assistant coach for the Kings.

A native of Kamloops, B.C., Payne played forward for the Huskies and totaled 71 points in 130 career games. He went on to an eight-year professional playing career before joining the coaching ranks.

Payne was the head coach of the Pee Dee Pride (2000-03) and Alaska Aces (2003-07) of the East Coast Hockey League. He won a championship with the Aces in 2005-06. He then spent two and a half seasons with the Peoria Rivermen of the American Hockey League before moving to the NHL level.

Payne was named head coach of the St. Louis Blues in 2010. He compiled a 65-55-15 record (.544 winning percentage) with the Blues.

As assistant coach in LA, Payne helped the Kings to a Western Conference Final in 2012-13 and the Stanley Cup Championship this year.